New life will be breathed into one of Wales' largest manufacturing sites, it has been revealed.

At least that's the hope of electronics giant Sony, which has sold off its massive Bridgend factory site to property developers.

Production of television cathode ray tubes ceased at the plant on December 9, after more than 20 years. Sony UK managing director Derry Newman said, despite interest from a number of companies, it sold the factory to Formaction as the firm 'will ensure it will be developed into attractive business units creating new jobs and encouraging local investment'.

Today, Bridgend AM Carwyn Jones hailed the announcement as 'a shot in the arm for the Bridgend economy' after the closure and loss of 450 skilled jobs.

'The job losses that came as a result of Sony's decision to close hit the town hard,' he said.

'This is only the first step on the road to recovery for this site. It will now be refurbished and divided into a number of smaller units that will once again attract investment and new jobs into the area.

'It is a premium site in terms of the infrastructure that has already been put in place there by Sony when it was using it. More importantly, there is a highly skilled workforce in this region that I am sure will prove attractive to investors considering coming to Bridgend.'

Mr Newman said Formaction takes a proactive approach to minimising the time that properties are left vacant and has a proven track record 'that has resulted in the successful letting of thousands of square feet of floor space across South Wales in the past 10 years'.